The occupation of the hill became in conse-quence indispensable. A militia regiment stationed there, had thrown up some works for its defense, but these being unfinished were of no utility. After the 21st of October, the British commander-in-chief was engaged for nearly a week in concentrating his forces, with great caution, in an encampment, formed upon the ele-vated grounds which extend along the left bank of the Bronx, on the confines of Eastchester and Scarsdale. His design, all along, had been to force Washington to a general action, and the preparations for this purpose were now completed. The morning of the 28th of October dawned with the prom-ise of an Indian summer day of uncommon beauty. Before sunrise the drums beat to arms, and the royal army having formed in two columns, marched upon Whiteplains, north-erly, across the Manor of Scarsdale. The right column was commanded by Sir Henry Clinton and the left by General de Heister, the former consisting for the most part of British troops and the latter of Hessians. Sir William Howe and his staff marched with the Hessian commander. The Sixteenth regiment of light dragoons, under Lieutenant-colonel Har-court, accompanied Clinton's column, while the Seventeenth light dragoons under Lieutenant-colonel Birch formed part of de Heister's command. The grenadiers of the Hessian regi-ments, having some time previously been formed into a dis-tinct corps under Colonel Count Donop, claimed and obtained upon this occasion, the post of honor on the right. Strong vanguards of light infantry and chasseurs with some guides, led the way. Numerous parties of these last and of pioneers, composed for the most part of the neighboring loyalists, followed immediately after, who levelled fences, removed obstructions, and prepared ways for the safe passage of men and artillery, across the impediments of the country. About three miles southeast of the American camp, the British army reached Secor's Fork.